I think smaller tables is better in any case, maybe tables for 6-8? One long table isn't very a conducive to social interactions, and is not very relaxing either.

But we're in for this dinner. So all we need is to devise explicit instructions for when we go online to book!

We are definately in!
When is the dinner and how do we make resys? If someone is able to, can we just say we want tables to accomodate x number of people.
Maybe they can do that so only one person has to do it?
We are in 935....looks humongous..we can always have dinner party in there :app: :app: :app:

Everyone should make their own online and then in the comments at the bottom of your reservation you can tell them SAND PARTY of 20 (if we have 20) and we should be okay. We should also take a list of who is dining to the Maitre D on the first day.

So I guess we'll just wait until close to the date when reservations open up, and do another head count. So nice to look forward to a little sun and warmth in December!

Wendy,

It's going to be 85 and Sunny here. We're just looking forward to a good book, good food, good friends and a good time

Yeh well, that's positive thinking, Kathy. I've been in central Florida in mid-December when they had frost. I know it's always warmer further south, but I don't count on the weather being summery until we get down to the Bahamas at least! Put it this way, I will definitely be bringing a light sweater or two.

Wendy,
I think that is a good plan. Living in Florida, and having been several times to the Carib. in December, Ya just never know!!
However, I have put in my order for sunshine and warm breezes! :)

We can hope for 85 in December - but it's 85 here in Los Angeles today!

Kathy, are you having Santana winds?

We had a cold front come through here. We've had it drop down into the 40's at night. Today it will warm up to the low 70's.

Don,

Carlos and the band have left the building! :D No more Santa Ana winds! Sunny, warm and spectacular today!

Oye como va! LOL

And now for a little California trivia. The California Spaniards referred to the winds as "Santanas" meaning, Devil's Wind, probably because of their hot dry heat. It wasn't until 1901 when an AP reporter referred to the Santa Ana winds, thinking that's what they were called, because they came up through the El Cajon pass and in through the Santa Ana Canyon, that the name "Santa Ana" winds came into being.

The other explanation is that Santa Ana is the the town that I grew up in, and everybody knows that I am full of hot air! :D

Texas Don full of hot air??? NEVER! Cause you're so SMOOTHE!

Does anyone know if there is still a great deal on this cruise? I cancelled our Seabourn loooong trip to Asia in December because Chester's mother is ill but a week in the Carribean would be doable.

Julie, I don't know if it is still running but I would be excited at the chance to meet you!

Karen,
I hope I get to meet you too! I'm looking at flights and there is a deal on a flight out of FLL at 6:10pm on Continental but that would be a looooong time to wait. Is there anything to do in FLL while waiting? I've never been there.

Our flight out is at 5pm, so you wouldn't be much later than us. I have been to Fort Lauderdale many times but I am at a loss at what to do, too!

Julie, we hope you get to join us. Also, you might check American Airlines. I saw a fare of $258 plus tax OAK to FLL. Return flight leaves at 3:25pm and has a 50 minute layover in Dallas and gets into OAK at 8:15pm.

I just saw good prices on the RSSC site. There are specials on Voyager for that week too.

Thanks everyone! The special is still available and Linda is going to book us on Monday. I've never been on Radisson or been to the Carribean. Can you believe that? I'm going to get flights that enable us to join you all at the dinner the night before we sail.

Great Julie - I will add you to my list for dinner at the Bimimi Boatyard.

Kathy, now that sounds like a lot of fun!
I was reading that the Navigator will be in dry dock the week before we board. Everything will be nice and bright and shiny...sounds good.

Julie,
Glad to hear that you have signed up for SAND. I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Julie, I am so glad that the special was still running! Welcome, fellow SANDie!!

How nice about the dry dock!! I was wondering when it was going to be

I was just looking at the shore excursions. We will do the coastal biking excursion in San Juan.
Not sure what to do in St. Thomas or Nassau. I'm not a water person so maybe we will just hire a cab and tour the island. Chester loves to kayak though. If he gets the opportunity to do that I may just stay on the ship and have extra sea days!

Julie, we are so glad that you are joining us on SAND and that you still got the deal. Looking forward to meeting you at our dinner as well. Should be a nice relaxing cruise.

Don, we are so looking forward to meeting you too. What a great group on this cruise! Chester has me pick all cruises and do travel arrangements. He is very flexible unless it's somewhere he absolutely does not want to go - which has pretty much always been the carribean. Yesterday we went to a bar mitvah for a close friend's son. We had such a great time dancing up a storm that he agreed to go to the Carribean for the fun and dancing - who cares about the ports! He got a new job recently in Sacramento. It's a six hour daily commute so we will be ready to alternately dance -veg -dance every day. He does a mean electric slide and mashed potato!

Don,
Now please don't knock yourself "full of hot air", etc. - let us do that for you !!! Wait
until you're on board, and we'll gladly pound you
right into the floor. Give us the opportunity to
provide this little service for you - after all,
you'll be on vacation and won't want to exert yourself at all.
Marty

Joke, it's just a joke - trying to make one and
all comfortable with each other. One of my good
buddies says I sounded a little crazy with my
offer. Well I may be a crazy person, but what
I said was just an attempt for all to be com-
fortable with each other.

Marty - ;) I can testify that you're crazy. When are we going to be able to sail with you and the Saint again??

Masaki

Masaki,
How I would like to make a trip with you and
all the other Masakis !!! I was so sorry that
we were not able to join you and Amanda in Alaska
and would love to have the opportunity to make this well. Thank you for taking the sting out of my little joke - now everyone on SAND will know
that I just tease a bit - no bite !!!
your friend,
Marty

Julie, a six hour commute? Wow! He really does need a vacation!

Marty! LOL Looks like you and I are going to have to have a crazy contest!

Julie,

When you get your cabin number, please post it so I can add you to the roll call!

Marty,

A little insanity is good for the soul. Whose soul is the question. And having just come off a cruise with the Masaki's, well, they are the nicest people you'd every want to be onboard ship with!

Don,
You and I will have a great trip !!!
Insanity doesn't run in my family, it's just
there !!! Rampant, I believe, is the word
my beloved Saint uses...

Cant wait to meet all the SANDies and renew
ties with Karen and Mark (she's my most desired
person I would like to elope with !!) Joke,
for those of you who don't know me...
Marty

Marty, I am sure that we will. We are looking forward to meeting you and Erica. To quote Matchbox 20, "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell." LOL

BTW, are y'all going to be joining us for dinner and drinks Sunday night at the Bimini Boatyard?

Don,
We don't arrive til the afternoon of the sailing, so wont be able to join you folks for dinner the night before. Sorry - we'll just have to postpone
the meeting of the "crazy club" til the next day.
By the way, Gretchen will be joining us as the President of the nuts-are-us group, she'll fit in real nice for this voyage !!!

Marty, between Gretchen and Erika, the two of them might be able to keep their eye on you! ;)

Karen, my precious,

Not a chance ! The two of them could never keep up with me !!! They do, however, aggravate me on an on-going basis and both say that it's their job....I really miss George, as he used to keep
Gretchen under control, but lately, she's become
totally unmanageable ! I think I'M the Saint - not that other lady !!!!

I miss George too!! Erika IS a saint and Marty and Gretchen are the Stiller and Meara of cruising - you are in for fun!!! :app: :app: Joanna

George really will be missed, he was such a sweet man.

Well since I cant come on this gathering I am sending my son Clay and his wife Brooke to keep everyone in line. Treat him gently please!!!